Times are changing. Nowadays, your smartphone is THE tool for all kinds of things. Of course, this has also left its mark on us motorcyclists.
Unfortunately, I am a self-confessed “orientation dork”. Yes, bikers actually have this too, but it could of course be a genetic defect. That’s why I’ve had (or had to have) plenty of experience with a wide variety of navigation solutions. This motivated me to write an article here in the blog about why I have now switched from navigation via standalone devices (as offered primarily by Garmin or TomTom) to navigation via smartphone app. And why the Kurviger app has become my “tool of choice”.
Here is my “mustard in three parts”.
Part 1: Advantages of smartphone navigation
Faster
Have you ever tried to move or zoom a large map section back and forth as quickly as possible on a Garmin or TomTom? It degenerates into a terrible jolt and is anything but up-to-date in terms of performance. A smartphone is simply a whole different ball game. It’s actually incomprehensible why even the current standalone devices still don’t have even remotely similar performance. Especially when you consider the price.
More detailed
The higher resolution of a smartphone automatically means that I can see more details on the map and thus gain a noticeably better overview. As long as you are “on track” and following the pre-calculated route, this may not be so important. The navigation instructions are more important here. But as soon as you are off the route or even want to adjust it directly on the device, the wheat is separated from the chaff: the operation of the Kurviger app on the smartphone is far better and less cumbersome than what the “top dogs” on the market offer on their standalone devices (sometimes you almost want to say: expect).
More sustainable
The advantages in terms of display and speed are by no means limited to the latest smartphones. Even older devices clearly outperform the available standalone devices. This is where a real “environmental aspect” comes into play: how often do we now change our cell phones? And how many (actually still quite usable) devices end up lying unused in a drawer? Why not turn such an older device into a motorcycle navigation system (I will come back to this in the second part “Technology”).
More comfortable
On a motorcycle, the rule is: the journey is the reward. It should therefore not be the fastest, but the most beautiful. However, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and it is therefore important to be able to adapt the route guidance to your own needs as easily as possible. On the one hand by using a routing profile (with Kurviger e.g. “fast and curvy”, “curvy”, “extra curvy” and others), on the other hand by setting and customizing waypoints (Kurviger also offers extensive additional functions for waypoints). Experience shows that a smartphone app is noticeably more convenient to use. If only because the map view can be moved and zoomed much faster, you simply see “more map” and selecting the preferred route is easier thanks to the higher level of detail.
More goal-oriented
It is noticeable in some places that the available motorcycle navigation devices are quasi “offshoots” of car navigation and the focus is still on pure navigation instructions. Functions for motorcyclists therefore often appear to be “added on” rather than optimally integrated. In contrast, the Kurviger app on the smartphone looks more like a “digital mix” of the good old map view (like a paper map in the tank bag) and the route guidance shown on it. Kurviger scores points here (also compared to other navigation apps) because the zoom levels can be configured very individually for different driving conditions (e.g. navigation mode on and off the route, in tracking mode, when approaching junctions). This makes sense because everyone has different preferences. One person wants to see as large a map section as possible, while another wants to see the most precise, zoomed-in details of the route. Different scales are also preferred for paper maps. Last but not least, the display can also be optimally adapted to your own smartphone, as completely different conditions can arise depending on the supported resolution, screen size and mounting location on the motorcycle.
More flexible
You can’t live on one app alone. That’s why I use different apps to find certain locations, to manage my personal route library and location favorites (and to be able to access them at any time when I’m on the move), to find a suitable petrol station as conveniently as possible (which I can also see and isn’t always the one closest to my current position as the crow flies). When it comes to sharing and integrating such information between different apps, a smartphone is much more versatile than a standalone device. Searching for a specific location via Google and integrating it directly into the current route? Quickly retrieve a saved route from the cloud using your cell phone? Quickly and easily resume an interrupted route on the road? Automatically save the entire tour (possibly over several days) as a track to document it again later? No problem with the Kurviger app.

More predictable
When it comes to motorcycle navigation, planning is much more important than in a car, where you usually just want to get from A to B as quickly as possible. That’s why the interaction between a tool for planning routes (e.g. on a PC) and later use on a motorcycle should not be underestimated. While TomTom has nothing worth mentioning here so far and you have to rely on solutions from other providers anyway, Garmin’s “BaseCamp” is still okay (but is apparently no longer being developed further). It is also not well received by all users due to its heavily database-heavy operating concept. If you want to use it effectively, you have to work with it more intensively. The Kurviger website is completely different: here it is easy to quickly and intuitively “map out” your route and, thanks to the ingeniously simple “share” function, transfer it directly to the Kurviger app on your smartphone (via QR code) or send it to your motorcycle buddies (by sending a simple URL address). Such an online planning solution also has the advantage (in contrast to BaseCamp) that you can access it virtually anytime and anywhere from any device. However, even planning directly in the Kurviger app is so easy that you don’t necessarily have to use the website for “quick planning on the go”.
Part 2: Technology
I’ve already mentioned it: it doesn’t always have to be new. I myself use an older Moto G (3rd gen), for example. The Moto G has a pleasant (rather smaller format), needs little power, is robust and also water-resistant. The Kurviger app runs absolutely smoothly and with pleasant performance. Incidentally, my wife will be traveling with a discarded Moto Z in the future. Functional recycling, so to speak.
Choosing the right smartphone
Even if you don’t have an older device that you want to give a “second life” as a smart navigation device, you can still use your normal smartphone for navigation without any problems. For those who find their normal smartphone too expensive, there are outdoor smartphones available for relatively little money, which are specially designed for somewhat tougher use and are therefore waterproof/dustproof (sometimes even certified) and less sensitive to shocks and vibrations. The purchase price is often still far below that of a standalone navigation device. And a smartphone can do much more than just navigate.
If I want to use a separate smartphone as a navigation device, but don’t want to give the smartphone its own SIM card? There are two options here: a free ad-financed SIM card from e.g. Netzclub or the option of connecting to the Internet via the “main cell phone”. If you still have your “main cell phone” with you, Bluetooth tethering is the easiest way to connect to the Internet. The necessary power consumption is hardly an issue. In addition, some standalone navigation devices also use a Bluetooth connection if they do not have an integrated SIM card.
The bracket on the motorcycle
Of course, a smartphone like this needs to be properly attached to the motorcycle. I prefer solutions that are as uncomplicated as possible. My favorite is therefore a simply constructed silicone holder that is very easily attached somewhere on the handlebars and then the smartphone is clamped into it. Smartphone and holder are on and off in no time at all. The soft material in one piece prevents any attachment parts from weakening or even breaking off. Vibrations are also effectively dampened. This benefits both the appearance (the display remains still at all times) and the smartphone’s innards (electronics are sometimes allergic to strong vibrations). With this mount, it is also possible to change the position slightly by tilting the smartphone to improve visibility in unfavorable sunlight. A good alternative to the silicone mount would be, for example, the Ram Mount X-Grip or the closed version from Interphone or Shapeheart.
Speaking of the sun: I always recommend using a matt, reflection-reducing protective film on your smartphone. These are available for just a few euros for almost all devices and significantly improve the readability of the display. These films can usually be found under the keyword“anti-reflective“.


Configuration of the user interface and operating system
But isn’t a cell phone far too cumbersome to use? Not necessarily. An Android smartphone in particular can be technically optimized very well for use as a pure motorcycle navigation system. It is even best to adapt the entire interface so that operation is as uncomplicated as possible. I myself, for example, have used the Nova Launcher to create a very minimalist interface with just a few appropriately sized icons. These focus entirely on the functions and apps that I need on a motorcycle (smart) navigation device because I want to avoid fumbling around on the go. That’s why I don’t use a screen lock on this device and simply switch it on and off (“critical” apps are no longer installed anyway).
If a smartphone is used exclusively as a motorcycle navigation system, I recommend uninstalling all unnecessary services and apps and switching off any account synchronization that is not required. WLAN should at least be switched off when you are on the move. And if you are not using your own SIM card, but are instead obtaining data from another cell phone (e.g. via Bluetooth tethering as described above), you can also leave flight mode permanently active. These measures help to significantly reduce power consumption.
The power supply
Of course, the power supply must be taken into account. The larger/brighter the display and the more powerful the smartphone, the more power is required. For this reason, a charging capacity of between 2A is recommended so that no more power is consumed on the go than can be recharged. However, an older/smaller smartphone can also cope very well with less charging power and also has the advantage that it heats up less than a current “high-end behemoth” (which I personally would find too much of a shame to use on a motorcycle anyway).
Alternatively, it can also be charged via a connected power bank. A smartphone and power bank with Quick Charge (QC) is recommended here, as this allows double-digit percentages to be charged within a very short time. With QC, it may also be sufficient to charge the smartphone during the break at the next biker meeting point. This may save you having to modify your motorcycle.
Part 3: Operation
I also used to think: all well and good, but a device with a (capacitive) touchscreen that I can hardly or not at all operate with gloves? Isn’t that THE decisive disadvantage of a smartphone as a navigation device?
It is now clear: no, not necessarily. Of course, there are situations in which this can be a hindrance. On the other hand, TomTom, for example, also relies exclusively on this technology for motorcycle navigation with its current devices.
But: it should only be operated when stationary anyway. And to make even this as rare as possible, the Kurviger app offers numerous support functions. Examples include: self-definable zoom level when outside the route, configurable direction indicator to quickly get back on the route, automatic (and above all intelligent) recalculation of the route if waypoints are omitted or bypassed (can also be deactivated), customizable “follow mode” with the help of which you can also drive “off track” (or: route) without losing sight of it.

There are also a few little helpers that can support you. In the picture above, for example, you can see that I have attached a simple rubber loop to the right-hand side of the handlebar, in which a touchscreen pen is inserted. To make sure it stays in place, I used tape and shrink tubing to create a kind of “hollow” in the middle. It holds perfectly, but can also be pulled out quickly (only when stationary, of course!) so that you can operate the Smart Navi without having to take off your gloves.
Speaking of gloves: more and more manufacturers are now offering gloves that can also be used to operate touchscreens. Special conductive materials are used in the area of the index finger and thumb. For example, I recently started using the “Montana” model from Difi, which allows me to operate my smartphone without any problems. As a “do-it-yourself” solution, you can also get conductive yarn instead and sew a small cross into the glove fingers (perhaps not necessarily using the most expensive pair of waterproof gloves). It is only important that good contact is made between the yarn and the fingers inside the glove, as the yarn ultimately only acts as a “mediator” between your finger and the touchscreen.

In terms of operation, however, it must also be clearly stated that the more a navigation solution is geared towards my very personal “workflow” when riding a motorcycle, the less it needs to be operated at all on the road. This is precisely why I am so convinced by the Kurviger app. Because a lot of (supposed) little things can be adapted to personal needs, so that in the end it becomes “my” tool for the road. I have never found this in this form in any other navigation app for motorcyclists (not to mention the sometimes really creepy and sluggish operating concepts of standalone devices).
With this in mind: just give the “Smart Navi” a chance. Maybe you’ll end up like me and you won’t want to do without it at all.